acidic or alkaline?
acidic pH 6.0
6.0
alkaline pH 8.0
6.4
6.8
7.0
7.2
7.6
Feel the
difference in
21 days.
A balanced pH for the
healthiest body - naturally
8.0
Congratulations! The rewards for taking care of your health are
numerous including more energy and more enjoyment from life!
When it comes to your health, you are likely doing a lot of things right - watching what
you eat, exercising regularly and reducing stress wherever possible. However, there is
one factor that is often overlooked. According to the latest research, ultimate health
can only be achieved with a balanced pH.
What is pH?
pH (potential of hydrogen) represents the balance of positively charged (acid-forming)
ions to negatively charged (alkaline-forming) ions in your body. The lower the pH of your
blood, the more acidic; the higher the pH, the more alkaline.
Studies show your pH directly impacts your overall health, including
energy, digestion and skin – as well as your risk for serious diseases,
including cancer, osteoporosis and even obesity.
For optimum health, our body’s pH should be slightly alkaline; however
the majority of North Americans are overly acidic due mostly to their
diets. The good news is that you can become more alkaline, starting with an easy pH
test and the right dietary and lifestyle changes.
How does the Acid-Alkaline balance work?
Every day we derive energy from the foods we consume and a steady flow of oxygen.
After food is consumed it is broken down, digested and absorbed. What’s left behind
is an ash residue that’s either acidic – requiring elimination via the intestines, kidneys,
skin or lungs - or alkaline.
Before the body can excrete acidic waste products, it must neutralize them using a
steady source of oxygen and organic minerals found in foods such as vegetables,
herbs and green food supplements. When there is ample oxygen and alkaline minerals
available for neutralization, the body’s pH remains balanced and its organs function
correctly.
Are you at risk?
What causes acidosis? When we consume too many acidforming foods, and not enough alkaline-forming foods, the
body looks to its own ‘buffers’ (stored alkalizing minerals) to
neutralize the acidic load. Emotional and physical stress
also increases acidity, due to its uric acid by-product.
-1-
What happens when the body is too acidic?
In addition to tell-tale signs such as low energy and poor digestion, studies have shown
a direct link between an acidic pH and a variety of health issues, including:
• Free radical oxidation (premature aging)
• Inadequate absorption of essential
vitamins and minerals
• Low bone density / Osteoporosis
• Poor skin and hair health
• W
eight gain (increased cortisol which
lays down abdominal fat)
• Internal toxin build-up
• Frequent colds, flu and headaches
pH and Weight Loss
Can a healthy pH help you lose weight? Yes! That’s because instead of eating processed
foods that overload your body and deplete energy, an alkaline-friendly diet feeds your
body whole, natural foods for the best energy, digestion, and metabolism. Studies also
show a diet heavy in acid-forming foods promotes production of the stress hormone
cortisol – which in-turn promotes the accumulation of abdominal fat. In other words,
pay attention to the pH scale and not your bathroom scale and your body will reward
you back!
pH and Serious Illness
For years, doctors have linked oxygen supply with cancerous activity. Research shows
acidosis (little to no oxygen) appears to allow pathogens and cancer cells to proliferate,
whereas an alkaline pH (high oxygen levels) discourages cancer cell colony initiation and
promotion. This explains why regular, deep belly breathing is so important – it feeds your
body oxygen! (Graci, The Path to Phenomenal Health, Wiley, 2005.)
greens+ is research-proven to help achieve a healthy pH!
Berardi JB, Logan AC, Rao V. Plant-based dietary
supplement increases urinary pH. Journal of the
International Society of Sports Nutrition 2008 Nov 6;5:20-7
The pH scale is logarithmic, which means that each
number represents a 10 fold increase. For example,
a pH of 8 is 10x more alkaline than 7 and 100x more
alkaline than 6. In this case, a increase of pH from 6.07
to 6.27 represents a 2x increase in urinary pH in just 14
days!
pH
greens+ was shown in a recently published research study to
statistically increase the urinary pH (i.e. increase alkalinity) of healthy
men & women after being taken regularly for just 2 weeks. Results
showed urinary pH became significantly more alkaline after just
7 days, and at the
The effects of greens+ on urinary pH
completion of the trial
the average urinary pH
6.3
increased (became more alkaline) by
6.25
two-fold.
6.2
6.15
6.1
6.05
6
5.95
Baseline
greens+ 7 days
greens+ 14 days
How are foods determined Acidic or Alkaline-forming?
Based on the Potential Renal Acid Load (PRAL) of foods, researchers have
established a way to measure the ability of foods to increase or decrease the acidbase balance in the body. The most accurate and complete PRAL table can be
found in the Journal of the American Dietetic Assoc (1995), by Thomas Remer,
PhD and Friedrich Manz, MD.
*
BONUS
To learn more about pH and healthy eating, go to genuinehealth.com and
download a free preview from The Power of Superfoods by Sam Graci.
Use this food guide when shopping and meal planning
(pH level meter) acidic 6.0
Foods
6.0
6.4
6.8
Most Acid
Medium Acid
Low Acid
processed soybeans,
salted & sweetened
peanut butter
salted & unsweetened
peanut butter
corn, lentils, peanuts w/skin,
organic peanut butter, soy
protein powder, beans: kidney,
lima, navy, pinto, white, black
peas: green, split & chick,
extra firm tofu, edamame
fruits
cranberry, dried fruit,
(sulfured)
prunes, olives, pickles
sweetened fruit juice, canned
fruit, jams or preserves
dried fruit, natural figs,
dates, bananas, unsweetened
canned fruit, natural fruit
juice, unsweetened jams
& preserves
seasonings,
herbs,
spices
black pepper, MSG,
soya sauce,
brewer’s and
nutritional yeast
vanilla, nutmeg,
mayonnaise, ketchup
tahini, carob, cocoa
regular table salt
beverages
alcoholic drinks,
soft drinks
coffee (milk & sugar)
unsweetened soy milk
& rice milk, black tea,
black & decaf coffee
grains,
cereals,
other
barley, pastries,
cakes, tarts, cookies
plain rice protein powder,
rolled oats & oat bran,
rye, white bread,
white pasta & rice
brown & basmati rice,
wheat & buckwheat,
kasha, amaranth,
whole wheat & corn pasta,
whole grain bread
nuts, seeds,
grasses,
sprouts,
oils
pistachios,
trans fatty acids,
acrylamides
cashews, pecans, walnuts
meats, fish
& Fowl
beef, lobster
chicken, lamb, pork, veal
dairy,
eggs
processed cheese,
hard cheese,
yolk of chicken eggs
soy cheese & soft cheese,
ice cream,
whole chicken eggs
cow’s milk, cream, yogurt,
butter, buttermilk,
white of chicken eggs
SWEETENERS
artificial sweeteners
corn syrup & fructose,
high-fructose corn syrup,
sugar
commercial honey
vinegar
white vinegar
balsamic vinegar
rice vinegar
Vegetables,
beans,
legumes
popcorn, canola oil,
grapeseed oil, green
soybeans, pine nuts,
safflower oil
fish, turkey, venison,
wild duck, seafood
Healthy Eating Tips
•B
alance your meal with a salad, a vegetable, a small portion of meat, fish or a
vegetarian entrée. Skip the bread and the dessert.
• Control your sauces as they contain most of an entrée’s fat and calories
•R
ather than fat-laden creamy dressings on a salad, use tablespoon of
organic, extra-virgin olive oil
For a complete meal plan, alkaline recipes, and
dining-out tips, visit genuinehealth.com. to help you keep your body’s pH balance in check.
alkaline 8.0
7.0
7.2
7.8
8.0
Low Alkaline
Medium Alkaline
Most Alkaline
brussels sprouts, beets (tops
& roots), tomatoes & tomato
juice, fresh peas, dark lettuce,
all mushrooms, potatoes w/skin,
pumpkin, squash, tempeh
bell pepper, cauliflower,
parsnip, endive, ginger root,
sweet potato, cabbage,
celery, carrots, asparagus
broccoli, cucumber, cilantro,
garlic, oriental greens,
onions, kale, spinach,
parsley, sea vegetables,
greens+
fresh pineapples, apricots,
grapes, blueberries, strawberries,
blackberries, papayas
apple, avocado,
pink grapefruit, lemon, lime,
mango, pear, peach
cantaloupe, honeydew,
raisins, nectarine, raspberry,
watermelon, fresh black
cherries, black olives in oil
most herbs, curry, mustard
powder, kola nut, tamari, milk
thistle, maca, astragalus, suma,
echinacea
cinnamon, ginger, dill,
mint, peppermint, turmeric,
rhodiola, basil, oregano,
licorice root , Siberian
ginseng
Celtic sea salt, Real Salt
(Great Salt Lake), miso & natto,
cayenne, ashwagandha gotu
kola, ginkgo biloba, baking
soda (sodium bicarbonate)
Teas: green, matcha green,
ginger, rooibos, chamomile,
water, ozonated water,
ionized water, aloe vera juice
electron-rich alkaline water,
plasma activated water
(PAW), greens+
dry red wine, unsweetened almond
milk, distilled water, beer (draft) or
dark stout, black coffee (organic)
bee pollen, soy lecithin
granules, dairy-free probiotic
cultures
whole oats, quinoa, wild rice, millet
& spelt, hemp protein powder
hazelnuts, flaxseed & sea
buckthorn oils, hemp seeds & oil,
sesame seeds & oil, sunflower
seeds & oil, fresh coconut & oil
cod liver oil
extra virgin olive oil, borage &
primrose oil, chestnuts, Brazil nuts,
light & dark flaxseeds, macadamia
nuts, black currant oil
pumpkin seeds, almonds
w/skin, plain almond butter
w/skin, all sprouts, wheat
grass, alfalfa grass,
barley grass
wild, pure Omega-3 fish oil,
CLA (conjugated linoleic acid)
soft goat cheese,
fresh goat milk
dairy probiotic cultures, whey
protein isolate powder
stevia, brown rice syrup,
pure maple syrup,
unpasteurized honey
(unsulfured) blackstrap
molasses
­­apple cider vinegar
human breast milk
(for nursing infants)
pH and Vitamin Absorption
If your body is too busy neutralizing its acidic load, it can’t
digest or absorb vitamins and minerals from food and
supplements. If you decrease the acidic load you can reverse
this situation – not to mention reap the important benefits of a
daily multi-vitamin or Omega-3 supplement, for example.
pH and Osteoporosis
Research continues to show a direct correlation between
an acidic pH and poor bone health. Excess acidity in
the body will pull alkaline minerals from anywhere it can
find them – namely Calcium from our bones. During this
process, osteoclasts (the cells that break down bone)
become activated while osteoblasts (cells that build bone)
become inhibited. If not corrected, bone loss occurs more
rapidly, resulting in osteopenia, followed by osteoporosis.
Recommended supplement:
greens+ bone builder feeds the body the
most alkalizing synergy of bone-building
nutrients, including 3 forms of highly
absorbable Calcium, Magnesium, Vitamin D3
and Lycopene.
Is consuming more
Calcium the answer?
Not according to the
latest research. Our
body can only absorb
approximately 500 mg
of Calcium at one time.
Any amount beyond
that is not absorbed
and increases acidity.
Much of my research
has shown that dietary
antioxidants - including
the polyphenols and the
carotenoid lycopene found
in brightly coloured fruits
and vegetables - play
a very important role
in bone health, which
may be important in
increasing bone density,
development and repair.
- Dr. L. Rao
Director of Calcium Research
Laboratory, St. Michael’s College
and University of Toronto
Benefits include:
• Reduces risk of osteoporosis
• Increases bone mineral density and promotes bone formation
pH and Healthy, Youthful Skin
Your skin is your largest organ, and your body relies on it to excrete toxins. When the
acid load is too much, it can show up in the form of dark circles, premature signs of aging
and blemishes. Bottom line: beauty is skin deep and a healthier pH will make it so.
Recommended supplement:
healthy skin with greens+ provides the most effective whole food formula
for a healthier pH plus noticeably improved skin. In addition to its highly
alkaline-forming and phytonutrient-rich greens+ base, it contains powerful,
skin-boosting antioxidants such as Cocoa Seed extract.
-5-
Benefits include:
• Reduction of fine lines and wrinkles
• Reduction of redness, roughness and scaling
How to Measure your pH
For the best results, test your pH for 30 days, 3 times daily, approximately 2 hours away
from meals. You can use your urine or saliva; however urine often provides a more
accurate reading. The first reading should be done after 4 a.m., at the time of your first
urinary void.
Once the paper makes
3 contact, immediately compare
1
Tear off a strip (approximately
its colour to the colour-coded
2.5 cm or 1 inch long).
chart on the pH dispenser.
2
If using urine, place the pH paper in
direct contact at mid-stream or into a
cup containing a urine sample. If you are
using saliva, do not let the strip touch
your mouth or tongue. Instead, collect a
sample of your saliva in a spoon or cup
and dip the pH paper in.
4
Write down your results each time.
Continue this for 30 days.
What does it mean?
An ideal pH range is between 6.2 to 7.4,
typically fluctuating as follows:
• Morning: 6.2 to 7.0
• Afternoon: 6.6 to 7.2
• Evening: 7.0 to 7.4
If your pH level is consistently 5.5 or less, you are overly acidic and should adjust
your diet accordingly. While you may feel okay, your health is at risk over the long-term.
How to become more Alkaline
One of the most important steps to increasing alkalinity is to reduce intake of acidforming foods and increase intake of alkaline-forming foods. The ideal diet is comprised
of 75% alkaline-forming foods and 25% acid-forming foods. Other proven ways to
become more alkaline, include:
• Reduce and/or eliminate stress
• Reduce and/or eliminate medications where possible
• Exercise regularly
• Practice deep belly breathing
throughout the day
*
Did you know?
greens+ is formulated with highly alkalizing ingredients such as soy
lecithin, organic spirulina, chlorella, beet juice powder, alfalfa, barley
and wheat grass to help promote a balanced pH.
-6-
Learn more about pH
To find out more about the acid-alkaline connection, including how to choose the
right supplements and more, visit: www.genuinehealth.com.
Easy Steps You Can Take Now!
4 Drink fresh, natural water throughout the day with a squeeze of lemon.
4 Begin each morning with a green food, such as
greens+ Instant Smoothie a day.
4 Enjoy avocados, carrots, celery and apples as healthy snack options.
4 Practice deep belly breathing when stuck in traffic or sitting at your desk.
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